Rotating device and robot arm device

ABSTRACT

A rotating device includes a communication unit including a transmitting portion having a first ring-shaped coil, a first ring-shaped magnetic body covering the first ring-shaped coil and a first terminal connected to the first ring-shaped coil, and a receiving portion having a second ring-shaped coil, a second ring-shaped magnetic body covering the second ring-shaped coil and a second terminal connected to the second ring-shaped coil, and a bearing connecting a hollow fixed portion to a hollow rotating portion.

This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/392,576filed Feb. 25, 2009, which claims the benefit of Japanese PatentApplication No. 2008-325104 filed Dec. 22, 2008 and Japanese PatentApplication No. 2008-049296 filed Feb. 29, 2008. The disclosures of theprior applications are hereby incorporated by reference herein in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a rotating device and a robot armdevice.

2. Related Art

In a rotating device including a rotating portion which rotates withrespect to a fixed portion, a communication cable in which a signal istransmitted between a fixed side and a rotating side, a power cable towhich power is supplied, a flexible pipe through which fluid such as airor liquid flows and the like pass in the vicinity of a rotation axis atwhich the fixed portion and the rotating portion are connected. In orderto suppress a phenomenon in which these cables and flexible pipes expandand contract, or twist due to rotation operation, there is a case inwhich cables and flexible pipes are provided so as to pass through theinside of the fixed portion and the rotating portion. Or, for example,in the robot arm which deals with semiconductor products or food, thereis a case in which cables and flexible pipes are provided so as to passthrough the inside of the fixed portion and the rotating portion foravoiding generation of dust or dirt caused by cables or flexible pipes.Accordingly, many cables and flexile pipes are provided in the vicinityof the central axis of the rotation axis, which enlarges the size of therotating device or sets a limit on a rotation angle.

For example, in JP-A-2002-280240 (Patent Document 1), a method isproposed, in which power is supplied by a transformer including coils ata fixed portion and a rotating portion respectively so as to sandwich abearing, and transmitting communication of a signal is performed in anon-contact manner by a radio transmitter/receiver provided in thevicinity of the central axis of the bearing.

However, there is a case in which transmitting communication of a signalis performed in the non-contact manner as well as cables and flexiblepipes to be connected between the fixed side and rotating side areprovided so as to pass through the inside of the fixed portion and therotating portion. In the method of Patent Document 1, since the radiotransmitter/receiver as a communication means is provided in thevicinity of the central axis of the bearing, it is difficult to secure aspatial area passing through the inside of the rotation axis. Therefore,there is a problem that it is difficult to allow cables and flexiblepipes to pass through the inside of the fixed portion and the rotatingportion.

SUMMARY

An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to solve at least apart of the problem described above and the invention can be realized asthe following embodiments or application examples.

Application Example 1

A rotating device includes a communication unit including a transmittingportion having a first ring-shaped coil, a first ring-shaped magneticbody covering the first ring-shaped coil and a first terminal connectedto the first ring-shaped coil, and a receiving portion having a secondring-shaped coil, a second ring-shaped magnetic body covering the secondring-shaped coil and a second terminal connected to the secondring-shaped coil, and a bearing connecting a hollow fixed portion to ahollow rotating portion, which is capable of rotating with respect tothe fixed portion, in which the first ring-shaped coil and the secondring-shaped coil are formed so as to be wound around a rotation axis ofthe bearing, the first ring-shaped magnetic body and the secondring-shaped magnetic body face each other with a gap formed in thedirection of the rotation axis, and the communication unit is providedinside the fixed portion and the rotating portion.

According to the configuration, the first ring-shaped magnetic bodycovering the first ring-shaped coil and the second ring-shaped magneticbody covering the second ring-shaped coil face each other with the gapformed in the direction of the rotation axis. Therefore, even when therotating portion rotates with respect to the fixed portion,communication is possible. Additionally, the communication unit isprovided inside the fixed portion and the rotating portion. According tothis, communication cables respectively connected to the transmittingportion and the receiving portion forming the communication unit canpass through the inside of the fixed portion and the rotating portionwhich are hollow.

Additionally, the first ring-shaped coil, the first ring-shaped magneticbody, the second ring-shaped coil and the second ring-shaped magneticbody have a ring shape around the rotating axis. According to this,cables, flexible pipes and the like can pass in the vicinity ofrespective rotation axes of the ring shape, therefore, they can passthrough the inside of the fixed portion and the rotating portion.

Application Example 2

In the above rotating device, the gap in the direction of the rotationaxis is provided in the vicinity of the bearing.

According to the configuration, when the rotating portion rotates withrespect to the fixed portion, misalignment between surfaces on which thefirst ring-shaped magnetic body and the second ring-shaped magnetic bodyrespectively rotate and a surface orthogonal to the rotation axis can besuppressed, therefore, the distance of the gap to be changed can bereduced. According to this, it is possible to suppress damage caused bycontact between the first ring-shaped magnetic body and the secondring-shaped magnetic body as well as to suppress instability incommunication between the first terminal and the second terminal.

Application Example 3

In the above rotating device, the gap in the direction of the rotationaxis is provided so as to be aligned with the bearing.

According to the above, when the rotating portion rotates with respectto the fixed portion, misalignment between surfaces on which the firstring-shaped magnetic body and the second ring-shaped magnetic bodyrespectively rotate and a surface orthogonal to the rotation axis can befurther suppressed, therefore, the distance of the gap to be changed canbe further reduced. According to this, it is possible to suppress damagecaused by contact between the first ring-shaped magnetic body and thesecond ring-shaped magnetic body as well as to suppress instability incommunication between the first terminal and the second terminal.

Application Example 4

In the above rotating device, the first ring-shaped magnetic body coversthe first ring-shaped coil, which is the opposite side of the secondring-shaped coil, and the second ring-shaped magnetic body covers thesecond ring-shaped coil, which is the opposite side of the firstring-shaped coil.

According to the above, magnetic flux respectively generated by thefirst ring-shaped coil and the second ring-shaped coil flows in thefirst ring-shaped magnetic body and the second ring-shaped magnetic bodyrespectively, therefore, it is possible to suppress instability incommunication between the first terminal and the second terminal.

Application Example 5

In the above rotating device, first ring-shaped magnetic body covers theside of the rotation axis of the first ring-shaped coil, and the secondring-shaped magnetic body covers the side of the rotation axis of thesecond ring-shaped coil.

According to the above, magnetic flux respectively generated by thefirst ring-shaped coil and the second ring-shaped coil flows in thefirst ring-shaped magnetic body and the second ring-shaped magnetic bodyrespectively, therefore, it is possible to suppress instability incommunication between the first terminal and the second terminal.

Application Example 6

In the above rotating device, the first ring-shaped magnetic body coversthe opposite side of the rotation axis of the first ring-shaped coil,and the second ring-shaped magnetic body covers the opposite side of therotation axis of the second ring-shaped coil.

According to the above, magnetic flux leaking outside the firstring-shaped coil and the second ring-shaped coil can be reduced,therefore, it is possible to provide further another electromagneticinduction coupling portions including another first ring-shaped coil,another second ring-shaped coil, another first ring-shaped magnetic bodyand another second ring-shaped magnetic body outside the firstring-shaped coil and the second ring-shaped coil.

Application Example 7

A robot arm device including the above rotating device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, wherein like numbers reference like elements.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a robot arm including acommunication unit according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a rotating device including acommunication unit.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view of coils formed by windingmagnetic bodies and lead wires.

FIG. 4 shows circuit diagrams of a transmitter and a receiver.

FIG. 5 shows waveforms outputted in the circuits of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a rotating device including acommunication unit having two pairs of electromagnetic inductioncoupling portions according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a rotating device including acommunication unit having magnetic bodies whose cross-sectional shape isan L-shape according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a rotating device including abearing inside a pair of coils according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a rotating device according to afirst modification example.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a rotating device including anelectromagnetic induction coupling portion which supplies power byallowing side surfaces of coils to face each other according to a secondmodification example.

FIG. 11 a cross-sectional view of a rotating device according to a fifthembodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments will be explained with reference to thedrawings.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a robot arm 100 including acommunication unit according to a first embodiment. The robot arm 100includes rotation axes 1 to 6. The robot arm 100 includes a rotatingportion 16 which rotates about the rotation axis 1, taking a pedestal 17as a fixed portion, an arm 15 which rotates about the rotation axis 2,taking the rotating portion 16 as a fixed portion, an arm 14 whichrotates about the rotation axis 3, taking the arm 15 as a fixed portion,a rotating portion 13 which rotates about the rotation axis 4, takingthe arm 14 as a fixed portion, a rotating portion 12 which rotates aboutthe rotation axis 5, taking the rotating portion 13 as a fixed portionand a manipulator 11 which rotates about the rotation axis 6, taking therotating portion 12 as a fixed portion.

The manipulator 11 attaches and removes an object by operating pluralfingers 10. The manipulator 11 can be attached and removed at therotating portion 12 as well as can be exchanged with another manipulatorperforming operation suitable for the work contents such as a processingprocess or an assembly process of a target object to be provided at therotating portion 12.

A controller 20 is connected to the robot arm 100 by a communicationcable 21, controlling rotating operations at the rotation axes 1 to 6 bycontrolling the driving of motors 22, 23 and not-shown motors.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a rotating device 300 including acommunication unit 200 according to the first embodiment. The rotatingdevice 300 including the communication unit 200 in FIG. 2 is provided atthe rotation axis 1 to the rotation axis 6 of FIG. 1. For example, inthe rotation axis 1, a fixed member 40 as a fixed portion forms part ofthe pedestal 17. A rotating member 42 as a rotating portion forms partof the rotating portion 16.

The fixed member 40 and the rotating member 42 have a hollow cylindricalshape having a cavity. The fixed member 40 is fitted to a bearing 41which is a rolling bearing, and the rotating member 42 is fitted to thebearing 41. The rotating member 42 as the rotating portion rotates abouta rotation axis S1 by the bearing 41, taking the fixed member 40 as thefixed portion.

Disk-shaped supporting members 43, 48 are respectively provided at innerperipheries of the rotating member 42 and the fixed member 40. Thesupporting members 43, 48 have a ring shape, which secures a spatialarea passing through the rotation axis S1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a coil 45 and a coil 47formed by winding magnetic bodies 44, 46 and lead wires with insulatingfilm. The magnetic body 46 and the magnetic body 44 are made of magneticmaterial such as ferrite. The coils 45, 47 formed by winding lead wiressuch as copper are wound with respect to one central axis S2 are coveredby a groove portion 70 of the magnetic bodies 44, 46, respectively. Endsof the coils 47, 45 are electrically connected to the lead wire withinsulating film 53 and the lead wire with insulating film 52 through amagnetic-body piercing hole 56.

As shown in FIG. 2, the magnetic body 44 having the coil 45 is supportedby the supporting member 43 in a state in which the open side of thegroove portion 70 is directed to the lower side in the drawing. Themagnetic body 46 having the coil 47 is supported by the supportingmember 48 in a state in which the open side of the groove portion 70 isdirected to the upper side in the drawing. Outer diameters of themagnetic bodies 44, 46 are the same and outer diameters of the coils 45,47 are the same. The central axis S2 of the coils 45, 47 in FIG. 3 isprovided so as to correspond to the rotation axis S1 in FIG. 2. Themagnetic bodies 44, 46 are provided so that ring-shaped plane surfacesthereof face each other with a gap “G” therebetween.

A transmitter 54 connected to a communication cable 55 and the lead wirewith insulating film 53 which pierces through the supporting member 48and the magnetic body 46 is provided at the supporting member 48 in FIG.2. The lead wire with insulating film 53 is electrically connected tothe coil 47. A receiver 51 connected to a communication cable 50 and thelead wire with insulating film 52 which pierces through the supportingmember 43 and the magnetic body 44 is provided at the supporting member43. The lead wire with insulating film 52 is electrically connected tothe coil 45.

FIG. 4 shows diagrams of a circuit included in the transmitter 54 and acircuit included in the receiver 51. FIG. 5 shows waveforms outputted inthe circuits of FIG. 4. The circuit surrounded by a dashed-line TX1 inFIG. 4 shows the circuit included in the transmitter 54 in FIG. 2. Thecircuit surrounded by a dashed-line RX1 in FIG. 4 shows the circuitincluded in the receiver 51 in FIG. 2.

To an input terminal IN1 in FIG. 4, a digital data signal shown by anIN1 digital waveform in FIG. 5 is inputted from the communication cable55. The digital data signal is amplified by a driver amplifier AMP1 andsupplied to a capacitor C1 and an inductance L1 formed by the coil 47 ofFIG. 2. In a waveform of the inductance L1, a positive pulse signal isgenerated at a rising edge of the IN1 digital waveform and a negativepulse signal is generated at a falling edge as shown by an L1 waveformin FIG. 5.

In an inductance L2 formed by the coil 45 of FIG. 2, a signal waveformshown by an L2 waveform in FIG. 5 is induced by electromagneticinduction coupling. The signal waveform shown by the L2 waveform isamplified by a driver amplifier AMP2 to be a signal waveform shown by anAMP2 output waveform in FIG. 5.

The amplified signal waveform is shaped and the pulse time width issecured by a comparator CMP1 and a comparator CMP2, then, a comparatorCMP1 output waveform and a comparator CMP2 output waveform in FIG. 5 aregenerated.

The pulse signals shown by the comparator 1 output waveform and thecomparator 2 output waveform are restored to a digital signal in aflip-flop circuit including a NAND circuit ND1 and a NAND circuit ND2,and a digital data signal is transmitted from an output terminal OUT1 tothe communication cable 50.

When a pulse signal is inputted to the coil 47, or when a pulse signalis induced in the coil 45 by electromagnetic induction coupling,magnetic flux flows in the magnetic bodies 44, 46, as shown, forexample, by bold-solid line arrows of FIG. 2. Accordingly, it ispossible to suppress magnetic flux leaking outside the magnetic bodies44, 46. Therefore, even when the communication cable formed by the leadwire passes in the vicinity of the rotation axis S1, effects by magneticflux can be reduced.

It is possible to transmit signals whose frequencies are several GHz toseveral dozen KHz by using the communication unit explained in the firstembodiment.

In the present embodiment, the coil 47, the magnetic body 46 and thelead wire with insulating film 53 are a first ring-shaped coil, a firstring-shaped magnetic body and a first terminal respectively, and thecoil 47, the magnetic body 46 and the lead wire with insulating film 53form a transmitting portion. The coil 45, the magnetic body 44 and thelead wire with insulating film 52 are a second ring-shaped coil, asecond ring-shaped magnetic body and a second terminal respectively, andthe coil 45, the magnetic body 44 and the lead wire with insulating film52 form a receiving portion. The transmitting portion and the receivingportion form the communication unit.

The rotating device 300 explained in the first embodiment includes thecommunication unit having the transmitting portion including the coil47, the magnetic body 46 covering the coil 47 and the lead wire withinsulating film 53 connected to the coil 47 and the receiving portionincluding the coil 45, the magnetic body 44 covering the coil 45 and thelead wire with insulating film 52 connected to the coil 45, and thebearing 41 connecting the hollow fixed member 40 to the hollow rotatingmember 42, which is capable of rotating with respect to the fixed member40, in which the coil 47 and the coil 45 are formed so as to be woundaround the rotation axis S1 of the bearing 41, the magnetic body 46 andthe magnetic body 44 face each other with a gap G formed in thedirection of the rotation axis S1, and the communication unit isprovided inside the fixed member 40 and the rotating member 42.

According to the configuration, the magnetic body 46 covering the coil47 and the magnetic body 44 covering the coil 45 face each other withthe gap G formed in the direction of the rotation axis S1. Therefore, ifthe rotating member 42 rotates with respect to the fixed member 40,communication is possible. In addition, the communication unit isprovided inside the fixed member 40 and the rotating member 42.Accordingly, communication cables to be connected to the transmittingportion and the receiving portion included in the communication unit canpass through the inside of the fixed member 40 and the rotating member42 which are hollow.

Moreover, the coils 47, 45 and the magnetic bodies 46, 44 have a ringshape around the rotation axis S1. Since cables or flexible pipesdifferent from the above communication cables can pass through the sideof the rotation axis S1 for them having a ring shape, they can passthrough the inside of the fixed member 40 and the rotating member 42.

The gap G in the direction of the rotation axis S1 is provided in thevicinity of the bearing 41.

According to this, when the rotating member 42 rotates with respect tothe fixed member 40, misalignment between surfaces on which the magneticbody 46 and the magnetic body 44 respectively rotate and a surfaceorthogonal to the rotation axis S1 can be suppressed, therefore, thedistance of the gap G to be changed can be reduced. Accordingly, it ispossible to suppress damage caused by contact between the magnetic body46 and the magnetic body 44 as well as suppress instability incommunication between the lead wire with insulating film 53 and the leadwire with insulating film 52.

The magnetic body 46 covers the coil 47, which is the opposite side ofthe coil 45, and the magnetic body 44 covers the coil 45, which is theopposite side of the coil 47.

Accordingly, magnetic flux generated by the coils 47, 45 flows in themagnetic bodies 46, 44, therefore, it is possible to suppressinstability in communication between the lead wire with insulating film53 and the lead wire with insulating film 52.

Second Embodiment

In a second embodiment, communication transmitted from the fixed side tothe rotating side by using two electromagnetic induction couplingportions and, conversely, communication transmitted from the rotatingside to the fixed side will be explained. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectionalview of a rotating device 300 a including a communication unit 200 ahaving two pairs of electromagnetic induction coupling portions.

The communication unit 200 a of FIG. 6 additionally includes a pair ofcoils 47 a, 45 a and a pair of magnetic bodies 46 a, 44 a inside a pairof coils 47, 45 and a pair of magnetic bodies 46, 44 explained in FIG.2.

The magnetic bodies 44, 44 a including the coils 45, 45 a and themagnetic bodies 46, 46 a including the coils 47, 47 a are supported bysupporting members 43 a, 48 a, respectively.

A control signal outputted from the controller 20 is transmitted fromthe fixed side to the rotating side. The signal is transmitted from thecommunication cable 55 to the communication cable 50 by theelectromagnetic induction coupling portion including a pair of coils 45,47 and a pair of magnetic bodies 44, 46, the transmitter 54 and thereceiver 51. That is, the control signal outputted from the controller20 of FIG. 1 is transmitted to the communication cable 50 through thecommunication cable 55, the transmitter 54, the lead wire withinsulating film 53 which pierces through the supporting member 48 a andthe magnetic body 46, the coil 47, the coil 45, the lead wire withinsulating film 52 as the second terminal, which pierces through thesupporting member 43 a and the magnetic body 44 and the receiver 51.

On the other hand, a detection signal is transmitted from a detectingportion (not shown) provided at the rotating side to the fixed side. Thedetection signal is transmitted from a communication cable 50 a to acommunication cable 55 a by the electromagnetic induction couplingportion including a pair of coils 45 a, 47 a and a pair of magneticbodies 44 a, 46 a, a transmitter 51 a and a receiver 54 a. That is, thedetection signal transmitted from the rotating side is transmitted tothe communication cable 55 a through the communication cable 50 a, thetransmitter 51 a, a lead wire with insulating film 52 a which piercesthrough the supporting member 43 a and the magnetic body 44 a, the coil45 a, the coil 47 a, a lead wire with insulating film 53 a which piercesthrough the supporting member 48 a and the magnetic body 46 a, and thereceiver 54 a.

In the present embodiment, the coil 47, the magnetic body 46 and thelead wire with insulating film 53 are a first ring-shaped coil, a firstring-shaped magnetic body and a first terminal respectively, and thecoil 47, the magnetic body 46, the lead wire with insulating film 53form a transmitting portion. The coil 45, the magnetic body 44 and thelead wire with insulating film 52 are a second ring-shaped coil, asecond ring-shaped magnetic body and a second terminal respectively, andthe coil 45, the magnetic body 44 and the lead wire with insulating film52 form a receiving portion. The transmitting portion and the receivingportion form the communication unit.

Additionally, the coil 45 a, the magnetic body 44 a and the lead wirewith insulating film 52 a are a first ring-shaped coil, a firstring-shaped magnetic body and a first terminal respectively, and thecoil 45 a, the magnetic body 44 a, the lead wire with insulating film 52a form a transmitting portion. The coil 47 a, the magnetic body 46 a andthe lead wire with insulating film 53 a are a second ring-shaped coil, asecond ring-shaped magnetic body and a second terminal respectively, andthe coil 47 a, the magnetic body 46 a and the lead wire with insulatingfilm 53 a form a receiving portion. The transmitting portion and thereceiving portion form the communication unit.

The rotating device 300 a including the communication unit 200 aexplained in the second embodiment includes plural electromagneticinduction coupling portions, in which the central axis of a pair ofcoils 45, 47 and a pair of coils 45 a, 47 a included in respectiveelectromagnetic induction coupling portions is at the position of therotation axis S1.

According to the configuration, the signal transmitted from the fixedside to the rotating side and the signal transmitted from the rotatingside to the fixed side are processed in parallel, therefore, processingspeed can be improved.

Additionally, the magnetic bodies 44, 46 cover the inside of the coils45, 47, namely, the side of the rotation axis S1. According to this,magnetic flux leaking inside a pair of coils 45, 47 can be reduced,therefore, the electromagnetic induction coupling portion including apair of coils 45 a, 47 a and a pair of magnetic bodies 44 a, 46 a can beprovided inside a pair of coils 45, 47.

Additionally, the magnetic bodies 44 a, 46 a cover the outside of thecoils 45 a, 47 a, namely, the opposite side of the rotation axis S1.According to this, magnetic flux leaking outside a pair of coils 45 a,47 a can be reduced, therefore, the electromagnetic induction couplingportion including a pair of coils 45, 47 and a pair of magnetic bodies44, 46 can be provided outside a pair of coils 45 a, 47 a.

Third Embodiment

In a third embodiment, a communication unit including magnetic bodieswhose cross-sectional shape covering the inside of the coil is anL-shape will be explained.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a rotating device 300 b including acommunication unit 200 b having magnetic bodies whose cross-sectionalshape is an L-shape. In FIG. 7, a pair of magnetic bodies 44, 46 and thesupporting members 43, 48 which support them explained in the firstembodiment of FIG. 2 are replaced with a pair of magnetic bodies 46 b,44 b and supporting members 48 b, 43 b which support them. As shown inFIG. 7, the cross-sectional shape of a pair of magnetic bodies 46 b, 44b is an L-shape, covering the inside of the coil 47 and the coil 45.

The coil 47 and the magnetic body 46 b are fixed by a supporting member49. When a pulse signal is inputted in the coil 47 or when a pulsesignal is induced in the coil 45 by electromagnetic induction coupling,magnetic flux flows in the magnetic bodies 44 b, 46 b, the rotatingmember 42 and the supporting member 49 in a direction, for example,shown by bold-solid line arrows.

According to the above, magnetic flux generated by the coil 45 and thecoil 47 respectively flows in the magnetic body 44 b and the magneticbody 46 b respectively by providing the magnetic bodies 44 b, 46 bcovering the inside of the coils 45, 47, therefore, it is possible tosuppress instability in communication between the lead wire withinsulating film 53 and the lead wire with insulating film 52.

It is also possible to make the length of an inside diameter D1 of thesupporting member 43 b and the length of an inside diameter D2 of thesupporting member 48 b to be longer by providing the magnetic bodies 44b, 46 b which cover the inside of the coils 45, 47. Therefore, a largespatial area passing through the rotation axis S1 can be secured.

In the present embodiment, the coil 47, the magnetic body 46 b and thelead wire with insulating film 53 are a first ring-shaped coil, a firstring-shaped magnetic body and a first terminal respectively, and thecoil 47, the magnetic body 46 b and the lead wire with insulating film53 form a transmitting portion. The coil 45, the magnetic body 44 b andthe lead wire with insulating film 52 are a second ring-shaped coil, asecond ring-shaped magnetic body and a second terminal respectively, andthe coil 45, the magnetic body 44 b and the lead wire with insulatingfilm 52 form a receiving portion. The transmitting portion and thereceiving portion form the communication unit.

Fourth Embodiment

In a fourth embodiment, a rotating device 300 c including the bearing 41inside a pair of coils 45, 47 included in a communication unit 200 cwill be explained. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the rotatingdevice 300 c including the bearing 41 inside a pair of coils 45, 47.

The magnetic body 44 including the coil 45 is supported by a supportingmember 43 c which is fixed to the rotating member 42. The magnetic body46 including the coil 47 is supported by a supporting member 48 c whichis fixed to the fixed member 40.

The coil 47 is electrically connected to the transmitter 54 through thelead wire with insulating film 53 which pierces through the supportingmember 48 c and the magnetic body 46. The coil 45 is electricallyconnected to the receiver 51 through the lead wire with insulating film52 which pierces through the supporting member 43 c and the magneticbody 44.

A pulse signal inputted from the communication cable 55 is transmittedto the communication cable 50 by the transmitter 54, the coils 45, 47and the receiver 51.

According to the above, cables and flexible pipes can be passed througha hollow portion in the rotating member 42.

Fifth Embodiment

In a fifth embodiment, the gap between the first ring-shaped magneticbody and the second ring-shaped magnetic body is positioned at a pointin which the gap is aligned with the bearing in the direction of therotation axis.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a rotating device 300 f accordingto the present embodiment. FIG. 11 is a view showing that the magneticbodies 46, 44 are provided so that the gap G in the rotating device 300of FIG. 2 explained in the first embodiment is aligned with the bearing41 in the direction of the rotation axis S1.

According to this, when the rotating member 42 rotates with respect tothe fixed member 40, misalignment between surfaces on which the magneticbody 46 and the magnetic body 44 respectively rotate and a surfaceorthogonal to the rotation axis S1 can be further suppressed, therefore,the distance of the gap G to be changed can be further reduced.Accordingly, it is possible to suppress damage caused by contact betweenthe magnetic body 46 and the magnetic body 44 as well as suppressinstability in the communication between the lead wire with insulatingfilm 53 and the lead wire with insulating film 52.

In the present embodiment, the coil 47, the magnetic body 46 and thelead wire with the insulting film 53 are a first ring-shaped coil, afirst ring-shaped magnetic body and a first terminal respectively, andthe coil 47, the magnetic body 46 and the lead wire with the insultingfilm 53 form a transmitting portion. The coil 45, the magnetic body 44and the lead wire with the insulting film 52 are a second ring-shapedcoil, a second ring-shaped magnetic body and a second terminalrespectively, and the coil 45, the magnetic body 44 and the lead wirewith the insulting film 52 form a receiving unit. The transmittingportion and the receiving portion form the communication unit.

First Modification Example

A case in which, in a rotating device according to a first modificationexample, two pairs of electromagnetic induction coupling portions areprovided, and a signal is transmitted by a communication unit formed byone pair of the electromagnetic induction coupling portions and power issupplied by the other pair of the electromagnetic induction couplingportions will be explained.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a rotating device 300 d according tothe first modification example. An AC power cable 55 d in FIG. 9 iselectrically connected to a coil 47 d through a lead wire withinsulating film 53 d which pierces through a supporting member 48 d anda magnetic body 46 d. An AC power cable 50 d is electrically connectedto a coil 45 d through a lead wire with insulating film 52 d whichpierces through a supporting member 43 d and a magnetic body 44 d. Thecoils 45 d, 47 d are covered by the magnetic bodies 44 d, 46 d,respectively. Power supplied to the AC power cable 55 d is supplied tothe AC power cable 50 d by electromagnetic induction coupling.

A pair of coils 45, 47 is provided inside a pair of coils 45 d, 47 d,which is covered by the magnetic bodies 44, 46, respectively. A digitaldata signal inputted from the communication cable 55 is transmitted tothe communication cable 50 by a pair of coils 45, 47, the transmitter 54connected through the lead wire with insulating film 53 which piercesthrough the supporting member 48 d and the magnetic body 46, and thereceiver 51 connected through the lead wire with insulating film 52which pierces through the supporting member 43 d and the magnetic body44.

The coils 45 d, 47 d which supply power are provided outside the coils45, 47, thereby reducing the winding number of coils.

According to this, the rotating device 300 d according to the firstmodification example is capable of transmitting power or signals in anon-contact manner. It is also possible to secure a spatial area passingin the vicinity of the rotation axis S1 and to provide cables andflexible pipes passing in the vicinity of the rotation axis S1.

In the present embodiment, the coil 47, the magnetic body 46 and thelead wire with insulating film 53 are a first ring-shaped coil, a firstring-shaped magnetic body and a first terminal respectively and the coil47, the magnetic body 46 and the lead wire with insulating film 53 forma transmitting portion. The coil 45, the magnetic body 44 and the leadwire with insulating film 52 are a second ring-shaped coil, a secondring-shaped magnetic body and a second terminal respectively, and thecoil 45, the magnetic body 44 and the lead wire with insulating film 52form a receiving portion. The transmitting portion and the receivingportion form the communication unit.

Second Modification Example

In a second modification example, a rotating device including anelectromagnetic induction coupling portion supplying power by allowingside surfaces of coils to face each other.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a rotating device 300 e includingthe electromagnetic induction coupling portion supplying power byallowing side surfaces of coils 62, 63 to face each other. Coils 62, 63are formed by winding lead wires with respect to the rotation axis S1. Adiameter of the coil 63 is shorter than a diameter of the coil 62.

A magnetic body 60 including the coil 62 is supported at the outerperiphery of the fixed member 40, and a magnetic body 61 including thecoil 63 is supported at the inner periphery of the rotating member 42.As shown in FIG. 10, an inner peripheral side surface of the coil 62faces an outer peripheral side surface of the coil 63 so as to sandwichthe bearing 41.

Power applied from a power cable 64 is supplied to a power cable 65 byelectromagnetic induction coupling by the coils 62, 63.

The magnetic bodies 46, 44 including a pair of coils 47, 45 formed bylead wires wound with respect to one rotation axis S1 are supported bysupporting members 43 e, 48 e, respectively.

A pulse signal inputted from the communication cable 55 is transmittedto the communication cable 50 by a pair of coils 45, 47, the transmitter54 connected through the lead wire with insulating film 53 which piercesthrough the supporting member 48 e and the magnetic body 46, and thereceiver 51 connected through the lead wire with insulating film 52which pierces through the supporting member 43 e and the magnetic body44.

A communication unit 200 e according to the second modification exampleincludes a pair of coils 45, 47, a pair of supporting members 43 e, 48e, the transmitter 54, the receiver 51 and the lead wires withinsulating film 52, 53.

According to the above, it is possible to supply power as well astransmit signals in a non-contact manner in the rotating device 300 eincluding the rotating portion which rotates with respect to the fixedportion. Additionally, a spatial area passing in the vicinity of therotation axis S1 can be secured, therefore, cables and flexible pipespassing in the vicinity of the rotation axis S1 can be provided.

In the present embodiment, the coil 47, the magnetic body 46 and thelead wire with insulating film 53 are a first ring-shaped coil, a firstring-shaped magnetic body and a first terminal, and the coil 47, themagnetic body 46 and the lead wire with insulating film 53 form atransmitting portion. The coil 45, the magnetic body 44 and the leadwire with insulating film 52 are a second ring-shaped coil, a secondring-shaped magnetic body and a second terminal, and the coil 45, themagnetic body 44 and the lead wire with insulating film 52 form areceiving portion. The transmitting portion and the receiving portionform the communication unit.

As described above, in the first embodiment to the fifth embodiment, thefirst modification example and the second modification example, therotating device using the communication unit transmitting signals in anon-contact manner, which is included in the robot arm 100 has beenexplained, however, the invention can be applied to a rotating deviceincluding a rotating portion which rotates with respect to a fixedportion, not limited to the robot arm.

The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-325104,filed Dec. 22, 2008 is expressly incorporated by reference herein.

1. A rotating device comprising: a power supply unit including atransmitting portion having a first ring-shaped coil, a firstring-shaped magnetic body covering the first ring-shaped coil and afirst terminal connected to the first ring-shaped coil, and a receivingportion having a second ring-shaped coil, a second ring-shaped magneticbody covering the second ring-shaped coil and a second terminalconnected to the second ring-shaped coil; a first power supply cableconnected to the transmitting portion and a second power supply cableconnected to the receiving portion; and a bearing connecting a hollowfixed portion to a hollow rotating portion with a hole in a center ofthe hollow rotating portion, wherein: the hollow rotating portion iscapable of rotating with respect to the hollow fixed portion, the firstring-shaped coil and the second ring-shaped coil are formed so as to bewound around a rotation axis of the bearing, the first ring-shapedmagnetic body and the second ring-shaped magnetic body face each otherwith a gap formed in the direction of the rotation axis, the powersupply unit is provided inside the hollow fixed portion and inside thehole of the hollow rotating portion, the first power supply cable andthe second communication cable pass inside the hollow fixed portion andinside the hole of the hollow rotating portion, and the power supplyunit is closer to the rotation axis than the bearing.
 2. The rotatingdevice according to claim 1, wherein the gap in the direction of therotation axis is provided in the vicinity of the bearing.
 3. Therotating device according to claim 2, wherein the gap in the directionof the rotation axis is provided so as to be aligned with the bearing.4. The rotating device according to claim 1, wherein the firstring-shaped magnetic body covers the first ring-shaped coil, which isthe opposite side of the second ring-shaped coil, and the secondring-shaped magnetic body covers the second ring-shaped coil, which isthe opposite side of the first ring-shaped coil.
 5. The rotating deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the first ring-shaped magnetic body coversthe side of the rotation axis of the first ring-shaped coil, and thesecond ring-shaped magnetic body covers the side of the rotation axis ofthe second ring-shaped coil.
 6. The rotating device according to claim1, wherein the first ring-shaped magnetic body covers the opposite sideof the rotation axis of the first ring-shaped coil, and the secondring-shaped magnetic body covers the opposite side of the rotation axisof the second ring-shaped coil.
 7. A robot arm device comprising: therotating device according to claim 1.